On Episode 125 of the Guest Speaker Series, Johan Lenox returns for his third appearance, catching up on his latest projects before his House of Blues Boston performance on 070 Shake’s “Petrichor” tour. Recorded at Lansdowne Pub, the conversation explores Lenox’s evolving artistry, his recent album, and his unique approach to merging classical and contemporary sounds.
Since his last visit, Lenox has released his second full-length album, ‘I Guess We’ll Find Out,’ which dropped in March 2024. Despite being nearly a year old, the album’s themes—ranging from self-acceptance to societal reflection—remain relevant, especially in light of recent events like the LA fires. He also reveals he’s already working on new music, with his latest single, “When Morning Comes,” marking the next step in his creative journey.
Reflecting on his artistic growth, Lenox explains how his first album focused on coming-of-age struggles, while his second album took on a broader perspective, observing the world around him.
Beyond his own projects, Lenox has been deeply involved in 070 Shake’s latest album, “Petrichor”, playing a key role in its production and helping craft a ballet-inspired visual experience for the project.
His recent work also brought him to Rolling Loud Thailand, where he conducted a full orchestra for A$AP Rocky’s set, an experience that highlighted his background in classical composition.
With a foundation in classical music, Lenox continues to push boundaries by blending orchestral elements with modern genres. While many artists incorporate strings into pop records, Lenox aims to create fully realized classical-influenced compositions, rather than using orchestration as a secondary layer.
The conversation also touches on the role of artists in addressing real-world issues, as Lenox discusses his use of apocalyptic imagery and the intersection of music and social commentary.
